Great plains, rural communities, and loads of true Texas fun!
Visit Hudson Oaks, TX to see what the Dallas-Forth Worth Metroplex has to offer. Even though it’s out in the country, there’s still lots to do.
Eat some great food, go hiking, and get in your fair share of thrills in Hudson Oaks!
Where exactly is Hudson Oaks, TX? How far is it from major cities?
Hudson Oaks, Texas is in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. The city is 2.5 square miles big and found near Weatherford.
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It takes about 50 minutes to drive from Hudson Oaks to Dallas via I-30 E.
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It takes about three hours to drive from Hudson Oaks to Austin via I-35 S.
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It takes about four hours to drive from Hudson Oaks to Houston via I-45 S.
Things to do in Hudson Oaks, TX
1. Splash Kingdom Wild West
Splash Kingdom Wild West just might be the most fun place in Hudson Oaks! Attractions include:
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Gold Rush Falls
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Wagon Trail Springs
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Wave Pool
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Lazy River
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Snake Pit
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Canyon Racer
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Wrangler
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Coyote
They also offer cabanas, which are a great way to cool off in the summer heat. They are either first-come first-serve, or can be reserved in advance.
There are also locker rentals so you don’t have to worry about your belongings while splashing around. They are on a first-come first-serve basis and can’t be reserved online.
If you want to plan your vacation around visiting Splash Kingdom, their opening day is May 28th.
2. Squaw Creek Golf Course
Squaw Creek was built in 1969 and then donated to the General Dynamics Recreation Association.
Including the clubhouse, the budget was $1.1 million, and the iconic golf course designer Ralph Plummer did the job (and he did it very well!)
In 2015, upgrades started to be made. A 14 acre facility for practice, involving four short game greens for practice and more than 10,000 square feet of putting greens.
Now there are also 419 Bermuda fairways and tees with the addition of a 4th set that have the ability to shorten the overall course to about 5,000 yards.
Despite floods and droughts, the course is in incredible condition.
Come test out this action-packed course to see what you’re made of!
3. The Malt Shop
The Malt Shop is a local favorite- some have been going for over two decades! Even more impressive than that, some people’s great grandparents used to visit. It’s claimed to be the best spot anywhere for malts and shakes. You’ll have to find out for yourself!
This old school drive in has steak finger baskets, chili dogs, tater tots, burgers, and fries- everything you’d expect…and want!
No matter what you order, the milkshakes will always be the stand-out. They are creamy, thick, and made from fresh ingredients like local fruit.
If you’re riding through the country, nothing beats stopping at The Malt Shop.
4. Boo-Ray’s of New Orleans
Boo-Rays was founded in 2004 by Scott Marks, a New Orleans native, and Richard Sloan.
Scott is adamant about the fact that nothing tastes better than New Orleans cuisine. This means crawfish pie, rice, red beans, gumbeaux, and jambalaya.
Anyone who is native to New Orleans will happily say that Boo Rays is the best New Orleans restaurant in the state of Texas. It’s a taste of home!
Without tasting their shrimp and crawfish fondue, you’re truly missing out on something special. Bread pudding for dessert is the icing on the cake.
5. The Boardwalk at Weatherford Lake Park
The Boardwalk at Weatherford Lake Park is the country’s longest floating boardwalk. It connects West Lake Drive to East Lake Drive across the water.
The whole boardwalk clocks in at just under a mile.
The boardwalk is ideal to enjoy nature and listen to the soothing sounds of the water. Come in the daytime to watch birds, catch up on some reading, fish, or meditate on one of the multiple benches.
You can also rent The Boardwalk Pavilion.
6. Urban Air Adventure Park
Urban Air Adventure Park is the place you want to be!
Something is always happening there with weekly activities. Schedule your visit around what you want to experience!
Take the Leap of Faith by climbing all the way to the top of the platform, taking a deep breath, and leaping!
Have fun at Lazer Fury with an ingenious combination of lazer tag and bumper cars.
The Urban Air Cafe has delicious pizza dripping in cheese, fizzing soda, and a place to catch your breath.
Live out your circus fantasy with their Trapeze- and get the workout of your life while doing it!
This is all only scratching the surface of what Urban Air has to offer.
7. Parks of Aledo Trail
The Parks of Aledo trail has over six miles of trail that is perfectly friendly for beginners.
It’s a pretty new trail, having opened in 2018. It has five loops in a stacked-loop arrangement. It is marked very well and it would be hard to lose your way. Although the trail is near housing developments, the woods still make it feel remote.
One of the trail’s main features is its jaw-dropping wildflower meadows. Expect creek crossings and a rewarding overlook towards the trail’s end.
1700 Jenkins Rd, Aledo, TX 76008
8. Doss Heritage and Culture Center
The Doss Heritage and Culture Center opened its doors in 2006 due to the hard work put in by community volunteers, as well as the whole community.
The Center is a real-life dream for Parker County. Before, the entire culture and history of the county was stuffed into one library room. Now, there is 23,000 square feet of space to showcase the depth of the county’s history and culture.
You can go on a self-guided tour five days a week, with staff available for answering questions and truly enhancing your experience. The typical visit ranges from half an hour to two hours.
There are also books, collection replicas, and more at the Museum Shop!
The mission of the Center “is to collect, preserve, and interpret the history of Parker County…and…raise awareness and pride in our western heritage.”
Exhibits range from early settlements, cattle drives, Native American life, and more!
Museum hours:
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Tuesday-Saturday: 10am – 5pm
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Thursday: 10am – 8pm
Entrance is free. Guided tours are $5 per person.
9. Grand Adventure
Grand Adventure has mini golf, go karts, virtual reality, an arcade, and amazing food!
The facility is just the right size- not so large that you get lost, but big enough to hold a huge amount of fun. Next thing you know, hours will have passed!
The pizza is so good that you’ll risk burning the top of your mouth just to eat it. Trust us!
Grand Adventure actually has an interesting history. It’s family owned and operated. The Pennington family has been building lakes and grading construction sites in the county for decades.
They noticed that people had to travel at least 30 miles for good entertainment, and a friend of theirs suggested mini golf. They’ve been growing ever since!
10. Parker County Brewing Company
Parker County Brewing Company is the first brewery in the county to open since 1879. They know what a special honor that is, and take their brewing very seriously as a result.
Appetizers include brisket and beer cheese, bruschetta, and stuffed mushrooms.
Try some meatball or caprese slider, or build your own pizza!
Don’t be mistaken- this brewery may have awards for their beers, but their food is no joke either.
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